Bangladesh is one of the world’s best-known garment manufacturing countries, producing T-shirts, polo shirts, hoodies, shirts, trousers, workwear and much more for brands around the globe. For small and growing brands, garment sourcing in Bangladesh can offer quality production at competitive prices — but success depends on clear specifications, the right factory partner and careful quality control.
This guide explains the main garment categories, fabrics and GSM, how to create a tech pack and size chart, what to expect with minimum order quantities, how sampling and costing work, and how to inspect quality and ship your order.
Why Source Garments From Bangladesh?
A large, experienced industry
Bangladesh’s ready-made garment sector is a major part of the national economy and exports to many international markets. Industry bodies such as the BGMEA represent thousands of manufacturers and exporters.
Strength in knitwear and basics
Bangladesh is particularly strong in knit garments such as T-shirts, polos, sweatshirts and hoodies, as well as woven products like shirts and trousers.
Competitive pricing
Production costs can be competitive, especially for basics and repeat styles.
Range of factory sizes
From large export factories to smaller units that can handle lower quantities, there are options for different stages of brand growth.
Plan for reality
Large factories often prioritise big orders. Small brands may need smaller factories, flexible minimums or a sourcing partner who can consolidate orders and manage communication.
Common Garment Types to Source
Knitwear
- T-shirts (round neck, V-neck, oversized, long sleeve)
- Polo shirts
- Sweatshirts and hoodies
- Tank tops and sportswear
- Kids’ clothing and baby wear
Woven garments
- Shirts (casual and formal)
- Trousers, chinos and cargo pants
- Denim jeans and jackets
- Workwear and uniforms
Accessories and textiles
- Caps, tote bags and scarves
- Home textiles such as towels and cushion covers
Understanding Fabrics
Cotton
Soft, breathable and comfortable, cotton is the most common fabric for T-shirts and casual wear.
Combed and ring-spun cotton
Combing removes short fibres and impurities, producing smoother, stronger yarn. Ring-spun yarn is twisted for extra softness and durability. These options feel more premium.
Organic cotton
Grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. Certified organic options are available but usually cost more.
Polyester
Durable, quick-drying and colourfast. Common in sportswear and performance garments, and essential for sublimation printing.
Cotton-polyester blends (CVC and PC)
Blends combine cotton comfort with polyester durability and reduced shrinkage. CVC (chief value cotton) contains more cotton than polyester.
Elastane (spandex)
Added in small percentages for stretch in fitted garments and activewear.
Fleece and French terry
Used for sweatshirts and hoodies. Fleece has a brushed, fluffy inside; French terry has soft loops.
Knit structures
Single jersey
The standard T-shirt fabric — lightweight and smooth.
Piqué
A textured knit used for polo shirts.
Rib
Stretchy ribbed fabric used for collars, cuffs and fitted garments.
Interlock
A thicker, double-knit fabric with a smooth surface on both sides.
GSM: Fabric Weight Explained
GSM (grams per square metre) measures fabric weight. It strongly affects how a garment feels, drapes and is perceived by customers.
Typical GSM ranges
| Garment | Typical GSM range | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Lightweight T-shirt | About 120–150 | Thin, cool, budget-friendly |
| Standard T-shirt | About 160–180 | Everyday comfort |
| Premium / heavyweight T-shirt | About 190–260 | Thick, structured, streetwear feel |
| Polo shirt (piqué) | About 180–240 | Smart, textured |
| Sweatshirt / hoodie | About 260–400 | Warm, substantial |
Choose based on your customer and climate
In warm climates, very heavy T-shirts may be less comfortable for everyday wear, while streetwear customers often expect heavier fabrics. Request fabric swatches before deciding.
Creating a Tech Pack
A tech pack is a document that describes your garment in detail. It is the most important tool for getting accurate samples and consistent production.
What a tech pack includes
- Flat sketches — front, back and side views with key details
- Measurements — a size chart with points of measure
- Fabric details — composition, GSM, knit or weave, colour
- Trims — buttons, zips, drawcords, labels, tapes
- Stitching and construction — seam types and stitch details
- Artwork — prints and embroidery with size and placement
- Labels and packaging — neck labels, care labels, hang tags, polybags
- Colourways — each colour version
No tech pack?
If you are just starting, a detailed brief with reference garments, photos and measurements can work for simple products. A sourcing partner can help turn your brief into a clear specification.
Size Charts and Grading
Points of measure
Common measurements for T-shirts include chest width, body length, shoulder width, sleeve length and neck opening. Define exactly how each measurement is taken.
Size grading
Grading is the process of scaling measurements from a base size to other sizes. Consistent grading ensures every size fits proportionally.
Tolerances
Garment production always has small variations. Agree acceptable tolerances — for example, a small number of centimetres for key measurements — in advance.
Know your market
Sizing expectations differ between countries and customer groups. Base your size chart on your target customers, and if possible test fit on real people.
Share size charts with customers
Publishing accurate size charts on your website reduces returns and exchanges.
Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
Why factories set MOQs
Fabric is often dyed or knitted in minimum batches, and setting up production lines takes time. MOQs make production efficient.
MOQ factors
- Fabric type and whether it is custom-dyed
- Number of colours and sizes
- Complexity of the garment
- Factory size and capacity
Strategies for small brands
- Use stock fabrics and standard colours
- Limit the number of colours in the first order
- Start with core styles and add more later
- Work with smaller factories or a sourcing partner who can negotiate flexible quantities
- Consider blank garments plus local printing for very small runs
The Sampling Process
Samples turn your idea into a real garment and reveal problems before bulk production.
Types of samples
Proto sample
The first version, used to check design, construction and general fit.
Fit sample
Tested on a person or mannequin of your base size to refine measurements.
Size set
One sample in each size to confirm grading.
Pre-production (PP) sample
Made with the actual bulk fabric, trims and labels. Once approved, it becomes the standard for production.
Shipment sample
Taken from finished bulk production to confirm quality before shipping.
How to review a sample
- Measure every point against your size chart
- Check fabric feel, weight and colour in daylight
- Inspect stitching, seams and finishing
- Wash the sample to test shrinkage and colour fastness
- Check print or embroidery quality and placement
- Try it on and assess comfort and fit
Give written feedback
Use photos, measurements and clear notes. Vague comments such as “make it better” lead to more sample rounds.
How Garment Costs Are Calculated
Main cost components
- Fabric — usually the largest share; depends on fibre, GSM, dyeing and finishing
- Trims — labels, buttons, zips, drawcords, elastic
- Cut, make and trim (CMT) — labour for cutting, sewing and finishing
- Decoration — printing, embroidery, washing
- Packaging — polybags, hang tags, cartons
- Overheads and margin
Price terms
FOB
Free on Board — the supplier delivers goods to the port; you pay freight and import costs from there.
EXW
Ex Works — you collect goods from the factory and handle everything after.
CIF / DDP
Some suppliers or forwarders quote including freight, insurance or even duties to your door. Understand exactly what each quote includes.
Compare like with like
When comparing quotes, make sure fabric, GSM, trims, packaging and price terms are the same.
Quality Control and Inspection
During production
Check the first garments off the line to catch problems early, such as wrong measurements or colour.
Pre-shipment inspection
Before goods leave the factory, inspect a random selection of finished garments against the approved PP sample. Many brands use recognised sampling standards to decide how many pieces to check.
What to check
- Measurements within tolerance
- Fabric colour and shade consistency between pieces
- Stitching, seams and hems
- Print and embroidery quality
- Labels, tags and packaging
- Carton quantities and size breakdown
Defect categories
Critical
Safety risks, such as sharp objects or loose small parts on kids’ wear.
Major
Defects that would cause a customer to return the item, such as holes or wrong sizes.
Minor
Small issues unlikely to affect the sale, such as a slightly long thread end.
Compliance and Responsible Sourcing
Factory standards
Responsible brands ask about factory safety, working conditions, wages and environmental practices. Many export factories in Bangladesh participate in social compliance and safety programmes. Ask suppliers which audits and certifications they hold and request copies.
Product requirements
Depending on where you sell, garments may need care labels, fibre content labels and country of origin information. Children’s clothing often has additional safety rules. Check the regulations in your sales markets.
Certifications
Some brands seek certified materials such as organic cotton or recycled fibres. Certified materials usually cost more and require documentation.
Transparency builds trust
Sharing information about where and how your clothes are made can strengthen your brand with customers who care about responsible production.
Shipping Garments From Bangladesh
Shipping methods
Courier
Fast and simple for samples and small orders.
Air freight
Suitable for medium orders or urgent deliveries.
Sea freight
The most economical choice for larger orders, with longer transit times.
Documentation
Exports require documents such as commercial invoices, packing lists and certificates of origin. Freight forwarders help manage paperwork and customs clearance.
Import duties
Duties depend on garment type, fabric and destination country. Check with a customs broker before ordering so you can calculate your landed cost.
Calculate landed cost
Landed cost = product cost + freight + insurance + duties + taxes + local delivery. Use it to set retail prices that protect your margin.
Building Your Brand With Sourced Garments
Private label details
Custom neck labels, woven labels, hang tags and branded packaging turn basic garments into your own branded products.
Printing and decoration
Garments can be printed or embroidered at the factory or after delivery. DTF printing is useful for small runs and many designs, while screen printing suits larger quantities. See our guide to custom T-shirt printing in Bangladesh for a full comparison.
Selling online
A WooCommerce store with size variations, clear size charts, good photos and fast checkout helps you sell your garments professionally. We build WooCommerce stores for clothing brands.
Your Garment Sourcing Action Plan
- Define your product range, target customers and retail prices.
- Choose fabrics and GSM using physical swatches.
- Create a tech pack or detailed brief with a size chart.
- Shortlist suppliers and request quotes on the same specification.
- Order and review samples, then approve a PP sample.
- Confirm price, quantities, tolerances, timeline and payment terms in writing.
- Monitor production and complete a pre-shipment inspection.
- Arrange shipping and calculate landed cost.
- Launch, gather customer feedback and refine for the next order.
Common Garment Sourcing Mistakes
Choosing on price alone
The cheapest quote often hides lower fabric weight, weaker construction or inconsistent quality. Compare samples, not just prices.
Incomplete specifications
Missing measurements, unclear colours or undefined trims lead to surprises in bulk production.
Too many styles and colours at once
Spreading a small budget across many options can push you below minimums and increase unit costs.
Skipping wash tests
Shrinkage and colour bleeding are discovered by customers if not tested in advance.
No pre-shipment inspection
Problems found after goods arrive are much harder and more expensive to fix.
Ignoring holiday schedules
Production slows around major holidays such as Eid. Plan orders well ahead of peak seasons.
Working With a Sourcing Partner in Bangladesh
How a partner helps
- Finds factories suited to your product and quantity
- Translates your requirements clearly and checks understanding
- Negotiates price, MOQ and timelines
- Manages sampling and feedback
- Visits factories and monitors production
- Inspects goods and coordinates shipping
Why it matters for small brands
Small orders can get lost in busy factories. A partner on the ground keeps your order visible, catches problems early and protects quality. Our service works on a commission basis — read our step-by-step sourcing guide to see the full process.
Glossary of Garment Sourcing Terms
Tech pack
A detailed technical document describing a garment.
GSM
Grams per square metre — fabric weight.
CMT
Cut, make and trim — the labour and process of producing garments.
PP sample
Pre-production sample made with bulk materials.
Grading
Scaling a pattern from one size to others.
FOB
A price term where the supplier delivers goods onto the ship at the port.
Landed cost
The total cost of a product delivered to your location.
Planning a Garment Collection Calendar
Successful clothing brands plan collections months ahead. Working backwards from your launch date prevents rushed decisions and missed seasons.
Typical planning stages
Concept and design
Decide on the theme, target customer, number of styles, colours and price points. Create sketches and gather references.
Specification
Prepare tech packs, size charts and artwork. Choose fabrics and request swatches.
Sourcing and quotations
Share specifications with suppliers, compare quotes and select a factory.
Sampling
Develop proto and fit samples, refine details and approve the pre-production sample.
Bulk production
Production runs, with in-line checks and a pre-shipment inspection.
Shipping and receiving
Freight, customs clearance and delivery to your warehouse or store.
Marketing and launch
Photography, product uploads, website updates, social media and email campaigns.
Build in buffer time
Fabric delays, extra sample rounds, holidays and shipping schedules can all add time. A buffer protects your launch date.
Plan around key selling seasons
Festivals, summer and winter collections, school seasons and year-end gifting all affect demand. Time your production so stock arrives before the season starts, giving you time to photograph products and promote them.
Reorders and core styles
Keep a few core styles — such as your best-selling T-shirt and hoodie — in continuous production. Reorders are faster and cheaper because specifications and samples are already approved.
Related Reading and Resources
More guides from our blog
- How to Source Products from Bangladesh: A Step-by-Step Guide for Small Businesses — Bangladesh is known for garments, leather goods, handicrafts and printing. This step-by-step guide explains how small businesses can find reliable suppliers, check samples, manage quality and ship orders…
- Jute Products from Bangladesh: An Eco-Friendly Sourcing Guide for Brands and Retailers — A practical guide to sourcing jute products from Bangladesh: jute bags, home décor, rugs and handicrafts, fibre and fabric types, customisation, quality checks, MOQ, pricing, sustainability claims and…
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Helpful external resources
These trusted, official resources go deeper into the topics covered in this guide:
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Quick-Start Action Plan for Garment Sourcing
This week
- Choose one hero garment — for example, a midweight cotton T-shirt — and collect three reference garments you like.
- Measure your favourite reference garment and use it as the starting point for your size chart.
- Decide on two colours and a realistic first-order quantity.
Next two weeks
- Prepare a simple tech pack or detailed brief with sketches, measurements, fabric, GSM and labels.
- Request quotes on the same specification from two or three suppliers.
- Order fabric swatches and a first sample.
Before bulk production
- Wash-test the sample, check fit on real people and approve a pre-production sample.
- Confirm tolerances, delivery date, payment terms and packing in writing.
Pro tip
Photograph every sample from the front, back and inside, and keep notes of each change. This visual history makes future reorders and new styles much faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can small brands source garments from Bangladesh?
Yes. Smaller factories and sourcing partners can support small brands, especially with standard fabrics and limited colours.
How long does production take?
It depends on fabric availability, order size, sampling rounds and factory workload. Plan several weeks for sampling and production.
Do I need a tech pack?
A tech pack is strongly recommended. For simple garments, a detailed brief with references can be enough to start.
Can you add my brand labels?
Yes. Custom neck labels, care labels, hang tags and packaging are common.
Can you help with printing too?
Yes. We offer DTF, T-shirt and other printing services and can coordinate printing with sourcing.
Conclusion: Source Garments With Confidence
Garment sourcing in Bangladesh offers small brands access to skilled manufacturing and competitive prices. Specify fabrics and GSM clearly, create a tech pack and size chart, approve samples, inspect before shipping and calculate your landed cost.
Ready to develop your clothing line? Explore our Bangladesh sourcing service, our printing services, or send us your garment brief.
